Smart phones edge out computers, tablets as study tool

More students now use smart phones to study than use tablet devices or computers, a new study released by McGraw-Hill Education found.

Smart phones are now an educational tool for many students.

The study, which was commissioned by McGraw-Hill but was conducted by a Hanover Research, surveyed more than 500 students about their study and technology habits. Nearly 40 percent of the respondents said they use smart phones for studying.

In that study, just over half of students said they would be more likely to complete required reading if it was available on their phones. Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they had studied this way for tests at the last minute.

“Studying effectively – and with the right type of technology – is one of the best ways to ensure that students succeed in class,” said Brian Kibby, president of McGraw-Hill Higher Education. “But focus is the key.”

And therein is the conundrum of using smart phones to study.

The devices may provide an easier, more efficient way to access study materials, but they also encourage distraction.